DEMING — Its almost that time of year when thousands migrate and flock to Deming. The annual Deming Duck Races are just around the corner and preliminary preparations for the festivities have begun.
The theme of this year races, which marks 37 years of duck celebrations in Deming, will be "Beach Party Duck". The race event will take place on August 25 to Aug. 28 at Courthouse Park, 700 S Silver Ave.
This will be the first year in many years where the races will be conducted without Dave Johnson, the late Secretary and Treasurer who's presence was always an important part of the Duck Races. In his memory, the judges stand will be dedicated as the "Dave Johnson Stand".
"He spent so many years up there and we want to keep him up there," said current Duck Race Treasurer Marie Pinchuck . Pinchuck succeeds the position from Johnson for this year's event.
Johnson will be remembered this year as the Grand Marshal of the Duck Races.
Building the Duck Races has been slow so far due to a website crash that brought down the organization's site and halted online traffic. The new site is currently under construction by designer Daniel Gonzales who will also be designing the logo.
"We bought our ducks, they're being raised, they're ducklings and they're going to be ready to go. They'll be ducks by the time the races get here," laughs Secretary Joanna Costilla. Costilla succeeds Johnson's other position on the Duck Races board as the newly elected secretary.
Racing will begin at 12 p.m. on Saturday, August 27 with other events starting on Thursday, Aug. 25 and lasting until Sunday Aug. 28. Additional events included in this year's races are the annual pageant, carnival, tortilla toss and a car show sponsored by the Desert Classics Car Club.
"Its a huge community event and its been running so long its become a staple of what Deming is," said Costilla. "Its a trademark of Deming, the 'Deming Duck Races'."
Entry to the races is always free however it costs $5 to enter in the races. Races this year will include wet and dry races and separate prize for each category of race.
While the website may take several weeks to be completed, those interested in volunteering or sponsoring are encouraged to send an email to [email protected] for more information.
The theme of this year races, which marks 37 years of duck celebrations in Deming, will be "Beach Party Duck". The race event will take place on August 25 to Aug. 28 at Courthouse Park, 700 S Silver Ave.
This will be the first year in many years where the races will be conducted without Dave Johnson, the late Secretary and Treasurer who's presence was always an important part of the Duck Races. In his memory, the judges stand will be dedicated as the "Dave Johnson Stand".
"He spent so many years up there and we want to keep him up there," said current Duck Race Treasurer Marie Pinchuck . Pinchuck succeeds the position from Johnson for this year's event.
Johnson will be remembered this year as the Grand Marshal of the Duck Races.
Building the Duck Races has been slow so far due to a website crash that brought down the organization's site and halted online traffic. The new site is currently under construction by designer Daniel Gonzales who will also be designing the logo.
"We bought our ducks, they're being raised, they're ducklings and they're going to be ready to go. They'll be ducks by the time the races get here," laughs Secretary Joanna Costilla. Costilla succeeds Johnson's other position on the Duck Races board as the newly elected secretary.
Racing will begin at 12 p.m. on Saturday, August 27 with other events starting on Thursday, Aug. 25 and lasting until Sunday Aug. 28. Additional events included in this year's races are the annual pageant, carnival, tortilla toss and a car show sponsored by the Desert Classics Car Club.
"Its a huge community event and its been running so long its become a staple of what Deming is," said Costilla. "Its a trademark of Deming, the 'Deming Duck Races'."
Entry to the races is always free however it costs $5 to enter in the races. Races this year will include wet and dry races and separate prize for each category of race.
While the website may take several weeks to be completed, those interested in volunteering or sponsoring are encouraged to send an email to [email protected] for more information.